Shortly after the horrific accident, photos of his torn bike began circulating on Facebook among rider groups of Kuala Lumpur, and yesterday his wife Gloria took to his social media account to pay tribute to the deceased pilot: “In loving memory of my loving husband Eugene Bernard Wang, 10th August 1972 – 22nd August 2018,” she wrote.

Nearly two hundred messages of condolences and memories have since been written, with dozens of users echoing the same sentiments – that Eugene was above all a good man, positive, quick to laugh, and devoted to both his career and family.

Many remembered him decades later as an exceptional captain, and one friend writing that he was “a husband that I try to emulate.”

One user recalled his passion for riding was tantamount to his love for Malaysia, and that he was proud to be Malaysian. “The country has lost a good son, anak Malaysia,” wrote Daniel Cha.